TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said he is supporting Belgium as they face England in tonight's World Cup match.
Here’s when @campaignforleo told us that he’s supporting Belgium in #ENGBEL tonight. pic.twitter.com/RmdjLq9MF1
— Adam Fleming (@adamfleming) June 28, 2018
Speaking today as he arrived at the the European People's Party (EPP) summit in Brussels where he will meet fellow leaders from across Europe, the taoiseach laughed before declaring his support for the Republic's EU partners in tonight's match.
Twitter users immediately began to speculate that Mr Varadkar's reluctance to support England or even stay neutral could be down to Brexit:
Maximum trolling there by the Taoiseach#WorldCup er.. #brexit https://t.co/u8nDrGC3HR
— Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) June 28, 2018
However, Mr Varadkar later said he was supporting Belgium as a defeat tonight would lead to an easier draw for England.
It's England v Belgium in the #worldcup. Who's @campaignforleo supporting? pic.twitter.com/MpKLJ6nPzw
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 28, 2018
While qualification to the knock-out stages of the World Cup is already guaranteed for Belgium and England ahead of tonight's match, a win for either team tonight would see them top Group G.
However, finishing second may be preferable as it would mean avoiding a potential quarter-final against favourites Brazil.
On @campaignforleo and his preference for Belgium in the World Cup @Nigel_Farage says ‘if that’s the case it tells us all we need to know’. pic.twitter.com/iFFgrdZ0G9
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) June 28, 2018
The taoiseach has been involved in increasingly bitter negotiations with the British government over the future over the Irish border once Brexit happens.
The European Union has said it stands behind the Republic as a solution is sought to ensure the border remains open after Brexit. The Republic has received vocal support during the talks from the European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt, who is a former prime minister of Belgium.
For reference on Belgium-supporting Varadkar. How did England fans feel on seeing Germany get dinged by S Korea? That’s the same feeling Irish fans will have when England get turned over by anybody really.
— JPCampbellBiz (@JP_Biz) June 28, 2018